Ooredoo Group Announced Net Profit of Qar 1.1 Billion in 2020 and the Board Proposed a Cash Dividend of Qar0.25 per Share

Ooredoo Q.P.S.C. (“Ooredoo”) - Ticker: ORDS today announced its financial results for the year ended 31 December 2020.

Financial Highlights:

• Revenue declined by 4% year-on-year to QAR 28.9 billion in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic impact, with a reduction in handset sales and roaming business as well as macroeconomic weakness in some of our markets. This was partially offset by growth in Indonesia, Myanmar and Palestine.
• EBITDA declined by 6% year-on-year to QAR 12.1 billion in 2020, impacted by lower revenues and challenging market conditions across most markets. The company maintains its focus on digitalization and cost optimisation, which has been reflected in a healthy EBITDA margin of 42% for FY 2020
• Group Net Profit attributable to Ooredoo shareholders decreased by 35% year-on-year to QAR 1.1 billion in 2020 mainly due to lower EBITDA and one off gains in 2019 from the Indonesian tower sales. In Q4 2020 the Net Profit was negatively impacted by Foreign Exchange losses mainly due to the devaluation of the Iraqi dinar and a one off impairment from an investment
• Data revenues account for more than 50% of total Revenue driven by our data leadership and digital transformation initiatives across the countries we operate in.
• Ooredoo Group maintains healthy cash reserves and liquidity levels, and with a net profit of QAR 1.1 billion, the Board recommends the distribution of a cash dividend of QAR 0.25 per share. 

Operational highlights:

• Ooredoo Group expanded its customer base by 3% to 121 million customers, boosted by additions in Iraq, Indonesia and Myanmar.
• Ooredoo Group reinforced its leadership as a digital enabler becoming the first operator to launch prepaid 5G internet in Kuwait, while in Tunisia it registered the fastest 4G mobile data speeds in the country. In Indonesia its network improvements were recognised at the “Opensignal Global Mobile Experience Award”, 2020 with a Global Rising Star award.
• Ooredoo Group launched a number of initiatives to support the communities in most need of assistance during the pandemic public health crisis. In Qatar, it supported frontline workers by providing employees of key Government Ministries with 100GB of free data and 10,000 local minutes. In Indonesia, it distributed masks converted from its merchandise in COVID-19 red zones. In Iraq, in conjunction with the Civil Defence Directorate, it undertook a campaign to sanitise public spaces and in Algeria, in co-operation with the Algerian Red Crescent, it helped distribute hygiene kits, disinfection products and sanitary measure awareness material.
• On 28 December 2020, Ooredoo Group entered into an exclusive and non-legally binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CK Hutchison Holdings Limited in relation to a potential transaction to combine their respective telecommunications businesses in Indonesia. The exclusivity period for the MoU is valid until 30 April 2021.
• Ooredoo Group appointed Mr. Aziz Aluthman Fakhroo as Managing Director of Ooredoo Group, as of 1 November 2020. Mr. Aziz is a member of Ooredoo's Board of Directors since 2011. The Group also announced the retirement of Sheikh Saud Bin Nasser Al Thani, Group Chief Executive Officer, effective as of 31 December 2020.
• Post period Ooredoo Group signed a five-year, strategic 5G agreement with Ericsson for the supply of 5G equipment as well as related implementation and integration services for all 10 of the Group’s operating companies.

Commenting on the results, HE ­Sheikh Faisal Bin Thani Al Thani, Chairman of Ooredoo, said:

“Ooredoo Group demonstrated the resilience of its operations in 2020, delivering a net profit of QAR 1.1 billion, maintaining healthy cash reserves and liquidity levels, and expanding its customer base despite of the challenging environment. 2020 was a year unlike any other, which disrupted lives and challenged organisations.

I am proud of the role that we played in keeping communities connected and the economy moving. Our focus on innovation and digitisation has enabled us to seamlessly serve our customers through our digital channels while allowing our staff to work from home in a safe and productive manner.

The global pandemic will have a lasting impact on customer expectations and the way people use technology. Ooredoo Group continues to invest in its digital transformation strategy and network capabilities to meet the evolving need of our customers and to help them unlock the true value of new technologies.

I am pleased to announce that the Board of Directors will recommend the distribution of a cash dividend of QAR 0.25 per share at the annual general meeting in 3rd March 2021.”

Also commenting on the results, Aziz Aluthman Fakhroo, Managing Director of Ooredoo said:

“I am pleased to report a solid financial performance across our operations, in spite of the Covid-19 pandemic and the challenging macro-economic environment. Group revenues were QAR 28.9 billion in 2020, down 4% compared to the previous year, due to macroeconomic weaknesses in some of our markets. Throughout the year, we remained focused on our cost optimisation strategy, which enabled us to maintain a robust EBITDA margin of 42% in 2020. EBITDA during the year was QAR 12.1 billion, down slightly from QAR 12.8 billion in the previous year due to the decline in revenues. Net profit for the year declined to QAR 1.1 billion, mainly due to lower EBITDA and to one off gains from the Indonesian tower sales in 2019.

Ooredoo Qatar provided a solid performance in 2020 growing its customer base at strong EBITDA margin, despite a range of challenges caused by COVID-19. Indosat Ooredoo delivered a strong performance with revenues and EBITDA increasing year on year by 4% and 11%, respectively while Ooredoo Myanmar’s market leading infrastructure supported an increase in revenues, EBITDA and a 28% increase in its customer base. Ooredoo Tunisia reaffirmed its position as the number one telecom player by customer market share.

Ooredoo Group continues to witness strong demand for its product and services, as demonstrated by the 3% increase in our customer base to 121 million during these challenging times, supported by strong customer growth in Myanmar, Indonesia and Iraq.”  

Operational Review